The other post this evening

[rozk]

I am writing about this for Strange Horizons and so am not going to say very much here now.

I saw a screening of Beowulf at the Waterloo Imax this evening and am pretty much gob-smacked. This was my first experience of modern 3-D with glasses that are more or less compatible with my own.

It was also a movie I had been waiting to see for ten years because it is that long ago that Neil sent me an early draft of the script he was working on with Avary. It impressed me then and it impresses me now - I have mixed feelings about the particular kind of image-capture animation Zemeckis is using but it is amazingly impressive much of the time.

I have, I suspect, seen the future of movies - once you have had a spear inches from your nose, it is hard to go back to a flat screen.

And I didn't get travel sick once - which says interesting things about the application of this sort of 3D technology to Gibson-style cyberspace in due course.

See the movie, and see it at IMAX.

I will post a link to my review when it goes up.

Comments

[calimac.livejournal.com]

Can it be watched without the 3-D? I have an eye condition that prevents me from using anything of that kind.

[bohemiancoast.livejournal.com]

When mainstream movies are released in 3d they normally have a simultaneous flat release; 'check your local papers'.

Or, unless an optician has told you you have no stereo vision at all, you might want to try the 3d anyway; it's really much easier to see than red/cyan 3d or 'stereograms' or anything like that.

[missmomoko.livejournal.com]

Did you have to wear actual 3d glasses or is there no need for those anymore? I've never been to the imax before and don't have a clue.

[bohemiancoast.livejournal.com]

Yes but they're of the modern polarised kind; you wear them over your own glasses and as long as you have even a little ability to see in stereo you will be able to see the 3d.

[owlfish]

IMAX does not equal 3D, by the way. This particular movie just happens to be both.

[whumpdotcom.livejournal.com]

Okay, two things turned me off about this adapation:

1. Zemeckis, who has a misogynistic streak running through his movies.
2. The previews where Grendel's mom had cgi spike heels as she emerged from the lake. LOL!

Maybe the Gaiman script saves it.

[bohemiancoast.livejournal.com]

Ever since we started getting feature length movies in 3D Imax, I have been waiting for the technology to actually come to a good film. I am very much hoping this one is it. The Nightmare Before Christmas was good, but the 3d was retrofitted.

I like the modern 3d movies, but I like taking my own 3d photos (and movies, though the movies are very low quality) more.

I should add that there is a MAJOR MAJOR SPOILER in the trailer and publicity material for those who are familiar with the story of Beowulf; I felt seriously sick when I realised that I was being shown something that the script must surely intend to be a key shock reveal.